18 hurt in Mirik clash,GJM calls bandh in hills

At least 18 persons were injured in a clash between Gorkha Janmukti Morcha GJM and Gorkha National Liberation Front GNLF supporters at Mirik today,just nine days before Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to visit the Darjeeling hills.

Trouble broke out when GNLF members were about to hold a a meeting at Sourini in Mirik,the home of GNLF leader Subhash Ghishing. GJM members allegedly tried to disrupt the meeting,resulting in the clash. One GNLF member was arrested.

The injured were admitted to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital and later released after preliminary treatment.

Both parties blamed each other for the clash. While GNLF members claimed that GJM members tried to disrupt their programme,GJM supporters claimed that GNLF members first clashed with them,which resulted in the police lathicharge.